A low-fat diet is often prescribed to diabetes patients as insulin use can lead to unnecessary weight gain and finding the balance is key to lead a normal life. A new study shows a low-calorie breakfast may be ideal for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
While most people generally aim for a 300 to 500-calorie breakfast, keeping the calorie count lower can be helpful for individuals with this condition.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggested that type 2 diabetes patients who switched from a traditional low-fat breakfast to a low-carb meal that included more protein and fat, like eggs with bacon or cheese, were able to better control their blood sugar levels for the entire day.
A team of researchers from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) examined the advantages of modifying breakfast habits for people with type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Exercise, Metabolism and Inflammation Lab, focused on the effects of transitioning from a conventional low-fat breakfast to a protein and fat-rich, low-carbohydrate meal.
Researchers said changing just one meal would do the trick instead of a complete overhaul.
“We’re not talking about a complete diet overhaul,” said lead researcher Dr. Barbara Oliveira, Science Daily reported. “One of many complications for people living with T2D is rapid or large increases in blood glucose levels after a meal. Our research indicates a low-carbohydrate meal, first thing in the morning, seems to help control blood sugar throughout the day.”
Controlling glucose levels is crucial in managing type 2 diabetes and its associated complications, including inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
“Treatment strategies that can help lower post-meal glucose swings and rapid changes in glucose are crucial to managing this condition,” said Dr. Oliveira. “We’ve determined that if the first meal of the day is low-carb and higher in protein and fat we can limit hyperglycemic swings.”
Researchers noted that consuming a low-carbohydrate breakfast yielded several benefits, including stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing diabetes medication dependency and minimizing fluctuations in glucose throughout the day. Additionally, people who opted for such breakfast ate fewer carbohydrates for the remainder of the day, indicating that it may have corrected their overall eating patterns.
“Having fewer carbs for breakfast not only aligns better with how people with T2D handle glucose throughout the day, but it also has incredible potential for people with T2D who struggle with their glucose levels in the morning,” the researcher added. “By making a small adjustment to the carb content of a single meal rather than the entire diet, we have the potential to increase adherence significantly while still obtaining significant benefits.”
Researchers found that people who replace eggs and white toast with oatmeal for breakfast may have lower risk of stroke. Pixabay